Boro Fifties stalwart Arthur Fitzsimons is back on Teesside and savouring the delights of the Riverside Stadium for the first time.

The Dublin-born forward, who scored 51 goals in 231 appearances for Boro, was a special guest at Saturday's match against Manchester City.

He said: "It's a wonderful stadium, and the atmosphere was unbelievable.

"We did get superb atmosphere for derby games at Ayresome Park, but this was extra special.

"It must be brilliant for the players. If you can't play at the Riverside in this atmosphere, then you can't play anywhere."

Arthur was particularly impressed with the statues of Wilf Mannion and George Hardwick outside the stadium.

He said: "They were great players, so it's fantastic that they are commemorated in this way."

Ayresome Park is long gone but still retains its memories for Arthur.

He said: "I've been on a tour of Middlesbrough and had so many things pointed out to me, but a great deal has changed.

"The road leading up to the Ayresome Park gates is still there, but it's weird to look along and just see houses. But the new stadium is tremendous and they've done the town proud."

Arthur was a teenager when former Boro boss David Jack signed him up from Shelbourne and brought him to England.

He recalled: "There were so many good players at Middlesbrough when I arrived.

"Wilf Mannion had so much skill.

"I played at inside forward or on the wing, and was in the same side as Cloughie for much of the time.

"All he used to say was 'just give me the bloody ball and I will put it in the net'. But they were great days."

Arthur also made a big impression on the international stage, earning 25 full caps for the Republic of Ireland, scoring eight goals.

On his trip to the Riverside he was accompanied by former Boro teammate Alan Peacock and was delighted to see Alan's England shirt on display.

He said: "I think it's wonderful that the club remembers its history.

"They looked after me so well. They gave me tickets for the match, a meal in one of the suites and introduced me to lots of people.

"Alan Peacock and Barry Stuart were very good and showed me around the stadium.

"Then I sat down to enjoy the game and the fact that Boro won 2-1 made it even better."

Arthur, who has been staying with long time friends Neil and Bernie O'Donnell, will fly home tomorrow with a bagful of new memories.

THE announcement of Sven Goran Eriksson's Euro 2004 squad on Monday is eagerly awaited by not one - but three - Boro defenders.

England hopefuls Gareth Southgate, Ugo Ehiogu and Danny Mills are all keeping their fingers crossed that they will be awarded a place on the flight to Portugal.

Boro skipper Southgate is ahead of schedule with his rehab following his knee injury, and remains highly confident that he will be fully fit in time for England's first friendly against Japan on June 1.

Ehiogu, who ruled out his England chances earlier this year, has come into the running as a result of some sterling Boro performances - allied to England's centre-back problems.

It's not impossible that Sven will take both Southgate and Ehiogu as back-up for John Terry and Sol Campbell, and their inclusion would certainly delight Boro fans.

Opposition will come from the likes of Birmingham's Matthew Upson and Spurs duo Ledley King and Anthony Gardner, though King has played much of the season in midfield.

Mills, who officially reverts to his mother club Leeds United on Monday, has also thrown his hat into the ring as potential England cover at centre-back.

He's more likely to go to Portugal as an orthodox right-back, but will be more than happy to join the squad with both roles in mind.

NOBODY will ever forget the moment when Gareth Southgate lifted the Carling Cup high above his head to the adulation of the Boro fans in the Millennium Stadium.

But it was the euphoric scenes of celebration which accompanied Boro's win that made the trip to Cardiff extra special.

Now all of those celebrations, the joy of the fans, and the dressing room reaction of the players, have been captured on film to help preserve the wonderful day deep into our memory banks.

Such scenes are vividly captured on 128 Years Later, which is Boro TV Extra's superb DVD end video tribute to the cup final success.

The DVD comes in a double-disc set featuring every second of the final, plus the pre-match build up and those unforgettable post-match celebrations.

The extra footage on the DVD of the dressing room scenes, fans shots and highlights from all the other rounds make it a must for every Boro fan's collection. It's a fitting tribute to the club's biggest day.

The DVD costs £24.99 and the two-hour video £13.99.

BORO legend Alan Peacock is leaving his job as club host on match days at the Riverside's Middlehaven Suite.

But the regulars in the suite were so appreciative of his contribution towards their matchday enjoyment over the season, that they organised a whip-round.

Alan, one of only a few Teesside born lads ever to play for England, is grateful for the generous gesture - and intends to donate the cash to charity.

Alan said: "I'm disappointed to be leaving but I'm grateful to the club for giving me the chance and I want to thank every one of the fans.

"Everybody was brilliant, both to me and my wife, and I'll be donating the money to Teesside Hospice."